Supporting Workers' Rights

worker's rights

Fighting for better programs and protecting funding for American worker programs is a top priority.

Throughout my career, I have fought attempts to weaken minimum wage laws.  The recent great recession has reminded us that no matter how hard a person works, unless they earn a livable wage and can maintain their assets, anyone and everyone is at risk of being impoverished overnight.

In 1989, I led Congress in supporting the workers of Eastern Airlines during their labor dispute.  Nearly 20 years later, I led the bipartisan Georgia delegation in standing up for 55,000 Delta Airline employees in our state who sacrificed so much to survive three difficult years of bankruptcy.   Supporting workers rights does not mean opposing business; both can coexist and thrive. 

Over the years, I have consistently supported key labor policies that ensure we do not undercut basic labor protections for a profit.  As a result, I am a strong proponent of:

  • Raising the minimum wage to $7.25 per hour, while supporting a national livable wage standard;
  • Equal pay for equal work;
  • Modernizing family, sick, and vacation leave standards;
  • The Employee Free Choice Act and the rights of workers to organize collectively;
  • Preserving and improving Davis-Bacon and prevailing wage standards;
  • Fighting modern day slavery – forced labor and child labor;
  • Improving workplace safety;
  • Protecting whistleblower rights; and
  • Strengthening retirement security and health care.

In addition to introducing a reintroducing resolution that urges the U.S. to ratify key International Labor Organization (ILO) and United Nations conventions, I am also a Member of the following Congressional Member Organizations:

  • Caucus on Human Trafficking
  • Congressional Human Rights Caucus
  • Labor and Working Families Caucus
  • Financial and Economic Literacy Caucus
  • The Out of Poverty Caucus
  • Tom Lantos Human Rights Caucus
  • Congressional Progressive Caucus
  • International Workers Rights Caucus (IWRC)

Fighting for better programs and protecting funding for American worker programs is a top priority.  Federal initiatives like the Trade Adjustment Assistance program, the Manufacturing Extension Partnership, and support for small, minority, veteran, and women-owned businesses cannot be put on the chopping block.

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